India script history, trounce Lebanon to make U17 Asian Cup quarter-finals
India’s entry into the quarters was confirmed after the Philippines and Chinese Taipei failed to win their last head-to-head encounter in Group C by a margin of 12 goals or more. India made it to the last eight as one of the two best third-placed teams alongside Thailand.
India finished the group stage with three points and a goal difference of -1; this was well above the Philippines’ -13 in Group C.
Pritika Barman (7th, 85th minutes), Alva Devi Senjam (36th) and Joya (72nd minutes) had earlier brought India to the brink of qualification with their strikes at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre.
It was India’s first win and first goal in the tournament since 2005 and also marked the team’s first qualification to the knockout stage of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup.
In women’s football, this was India’s first Asian Cup knockout phase since the AFC U-19 Championship in 2004, when the team reached the quarter-finals.
In the quarter-finals, India will face hosts China, who lead Group A with nine points, on Monday. A win in the quarter-finals will ensure qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, marking India’s first merit-based FIFA World Cup qualification at any level, men’s or women’s.
Knowing that just a win would keep their qualification hopes alive, India made just one change from their last match, with Anushka Kumari replacing Pearl Fernandes, making a determined start and taking the lead in the sixth minute.
Divyani Linda launched a long ball forward from right-back and Pritika controlled it superbly before firing it past Lebanese defender Joya Bou Assaf. The winger then gave India the perfect start by firing a superb left-foot shot beyond goalkeeper Marie Joe Chebly.
The early breakthrough unraveled the Young Tigers, who quickly took control of the match with confident passing and aggressive pressing in the attacking third.
India nearly doubled their lead when Anushka Kumari found space in the box, but her effort was well saved by Marie. Pritika continued to trouble the Lebanon defense and came close to grabbing a second goal in the 16th minute but was once again denied by the goalkeeper.
While Lebanon struggled to deal with India’s movement in wide areas, the Indian midfield kept up the pressure through quick passes and smart positioning.
The second goal came in the 35th minute. Redima Devi Chingkhamayum played a pass towards Alva Devi Senjam on the edge of the penalty area and she raced past striker Gianna Frangieh to slot the ball behind the advancing goalkeeper to give India a well-deserved 2-0 advantage at the break.
India continued with the same attacking intensity in the second half and continued to push Lebanon further into their own half. The Young Tigers controlled possession for long periods and looked dangerous when advancing down the flanks.
Their superiority was rewarded with Joya’s individual performance in the 72nd minute. Receiving the ball from the left wing, the substitute showed excellent close control before cutting in, passing two defenders and firing in a beautiful shot with his right foot to make it 3-0.
India put in an outstanding performance after five minutes with Pritika completing his brace. Attacking forward from the right wing, he entered the penalty area unopposed and then calmly passed Marie to put the result beyond doubt.
The final whistle confirmed a historic night for the Young Tigers as they claimed their first victory in the competition in more than two decades.
